Marianne Vos (Rabobank-Liv/Giant) showed her rivals that she is on track for a successful rainbow jersey defence with a stunning victory in the evening prologue of the Giro della Toscana, the last stage race before the World championships. The 26-year-old flew around the 2.22km Campi Bisenzio circuit - raced under streetlights - in a new course record of two minutes, 53.19 seconds to take the first Maglia Rosa of the only 2.HC-ranked race in the women’s calendar.

As one of the last riders to start, Vos pushed Rabobank-Liv/Giant teammate Annemiek van Vleuten - the winner of the same stage in 2012, and who had been one of the earlier starters - out of the hot seat by three seconds, with Shelley Olds (Tibco-To The Top) a further second back in third.

Starting half an hour later than scheduled, Corinna Defilè (Servetto-Footon) was the first rider to set off, and posted a time of 3’27.48, which was not to stay on top of the standings for long. The 18-year-old’s time was soon eclipsed by Valentina Bastianelli (Vaiano-Fondriest), who finished in 3’12.29, but she too was pushed out by Elena Berlato (Top Girls-Fassa Bortolo) with 3’11.90.

Belgian Jessie Daams (Boels-Dolmans) lowered the best time to 3’05.81 but, shortly afterwards, Olds became the first rider to go under three minutes as she crossed the line in 2’58.02. The American barely had time to sit down in the hot seat, however, before she was pushed out by van Vleuten’s 2’56.26, which was a fraction faster than she had recorded with her winning ride on the same course the previous year.

Several riders were to come close to van Vleuten’s time, with Emily Collins (Wiggle Honda) slotting into provisional third place in 3’00.48, before being pushed down by Kirsten Wild (Argos-Shimano) in 2’58.89. Valentina Scandolara (MCipollini-Giordana) finished in a time just off the provisional podium, with 2’59.31, then Tiffany Cromwell (Orica-AIS) pushed the Italian down to provisional fifth, with 2’59.18.

These were the only riders to get below the three minute barrier until Vos powered around to push her teammate into second, with a new record time for the town centre course.